Multiple circuit connector of the plug type



March 11, 1947. H. P. LUHN 2,417,369

MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONNECTOR OF THE PLUG TYPE Filed March 29, 1944 3Sheets-Sheet 1 f/VULA 7/071 :9 7

INVENTQR ATTORNEY HANS P. LUHN.

March 11, 1947. H. P. LUHN 2,417,369

MULTIPLE CTRCUIT CONNECTOR OF THE PLUG TYPE Filed March 29, 1944 3Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTOE-t 'HANS P. LUHN.

' Ti'oRNEY March 11, 1947. H. P. LUHN 2,417,369

MULTIPLE cmcun' CONNECTOR OF THE PLUG TYPE Filed March 29;, 1944 3Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR HANS P. LUHN.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 11, 1947 MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONNECTOR OF THE PLUGTYPE Hans P. Luhn,

Armonk, Y., .assignor to International Business Machines Corporation,New

York, N. Y.,

a corporation of New York Application March 23, 1944-, Serial No.528,656 (01. 173-428) Claims.

This invention relates to circuit connectors and generally to thedetachable plug type for making multiple circuit connections at will.More specifically the invention relates to multiple circuit connectorsof the plug type wherein circuit connections can be made by theattachment of associated connector units and conversely circuitconnections can be broken by detachment of the associated connectorunits.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof circuit connector wherein a plug connector of a limited area canprovide for a larger number of circuit connections than generallypossible heretofore, and a more specific object in this connection is todevise a circuit connector which will not only provide for an increasednumber of'circuit connections but enable efficient circuit connectionsas well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit connector whichconsists of three interconnecting units, an intermediate connector unit,and a pair of connector units joined at each side of said intermediateconnector unit.

An advantage following from the preceding construction and whichfulfills another object is that each of the outside connectors can bepro vided with means to receive plug connections which can be altered atwill without changing the plug connections made to the other outsideconnector. This flexibility is of a decided advantage for circuitconnections in some electrical systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to assemble aplurality of such associated units whereby circuit connections can bemultiplied to the required number and nevertheless retain the principaladvantages of the elementary system.

This object may be carried out by providing an intermediate frame towhich is assembled a plurality of intermediate connector units and otherframes for carrying a plurality of the plug connector units of the othertype, that is, the type which provides for the desired plug connections.

The assembly of panel the intermediate connectors and allows anotherplugboard having different plug connections to be substituted. The sameadvantages are in this multiple arrangement as in the elementary system,namely, that the plug connections on the plug connectors can be variedat will without altering the plug connections of the other plugconnectors.

plug COnneCtOI'Si provides a or plugbo'ard which can be detached fromOther objects or the invention will be pointed: out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated'in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by Way of example, the principle of theinvention. andthe best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view of eachof the three connector units showing theassociation of the three units of the elementary system.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the intermediateconnector.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the intermediate connector.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line l i of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of nector.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of one of the outsideplug connectors.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of. the plug connector shown in Fig.6.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the plug connector shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is a. sectional view taken on the line Q-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a View Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 shows the the multiple jack.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view showing the the intermediate contakenon the line I il -IE! of preferred construction of supporting frameswhich carry the assembly of the different connector units to multiplythe circuit connections to make upa plugboard.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the outside frames.

Fig. 14 is: a view showing the three connector I units joined togetherin contact relationship, and

when mounted in the frames of Fig. 12 show how the frames are closedupon each other to secure a contact relationship between the" connectorunits.

The three principal elements of the improved connector are shownassociated in Fig. 1 and shown joined in interlocking contactrelationship in Fig. 14'. The improved' plug consists of an intermediateconnector unit ill and cooperating outside plug connector units H andI2. The plug connector unit H has wire connections t3 and the plugconnector unit 12" has wire connections HI. When the units It, H and I!arejoined in contact relationship as in Fig. 14' the wires [3 areelectrically connected through the units to the wires 14 for desiredcircuit con nections.

slots 2|, 22 of the 9,417,369 ii I V.

' of the connectors H) and desired number of contact blades 23, but asshown J herein the elements l5, support for two series of contact bladeswith ten in each series. A e provided with two series of slots 2| andlikewise the block I1 is provided with two series of slots 7 22 and suchslots receive the spring blades, 24 to not only suitably space them ininsulating relationship but also to provide a support for such blades.Each contact blade 20 is provided with shoulder portions 23 and 24fitting in the related blocks |5 and H, respectively. Of course, theblock it in cooperation with the block I5 also secures the contactblades 20 of the other series in a similar manner. When all of the partsare in the assembled relationship, shown in Fig. 5, the blocks l5, l6,and H. are fastened together by a tubular rivet 25 at one end and asimilar form of rivet 26 atthe other end (see Fig. 14). By the abovepreferred construction the intermediate connector l3 provides for asuitable spacing of. the contact blades20 and mounting thereof. V Theplug connector units H and I2 which are joined to each side of theintermediate connector |0 are alike in construction. The descriptionwill be confined to only. one of these plugs connectors with particularreference to Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive. Each plug connector II or l2consists of a main body portion 30 which is rectangular in shapeconforming to the length and width of the intermediate connector Hi.This main body portion is made of insulating material, either. molded tothe desired shape or formed by machining.

- The'main body portion has extending therefrom a comblike structureconsisting of teeth 32 and intermediate recesses or channels 33. Withinthese channels 33 are interposed the resilient contact blades 34 and 35.Each row of contact blades 34 consists, as shown in Fig. 14, of five.

contact blades bent in one direction and inv the adjacent row the seriesof five contact blades 35 are similarly formed but are. bent in oppositedirections. Therefore, there is disposed in each channel 33, but in twoadjacent rows so as to be separated from each other, a contact blade 34which is adapted to make firm electrical contact with a blade 29 andalso a contact blade 35 adapted to make electrical contact with theadjacent blade 2|]. 7 The adjacent pairs of blades 25 are spaced apart,equivalent to the width of the channel 33 so that as plug connector IIor I2 is joined to the intermediate connector l0, one of I the blades 23of each pair will slide between the contact blade 34 and the surface 35(Fig. 6) of the channel and the adjacent contact blade 23 will slidebetween the. contactblade 35 and the surface 31 (Fig. 6) of the samechannel 33. The blades 34, and 35 are resilient and while slightlydisplaced from normal position by a blade 23as shown in Fig. 6,nevertheless the extremities are" l3 and 11 provide the The intermediateblock. |5is r 20. Each connectormaybe assem- .7 blades 34 and 35'canbled to provide the supporting means for the" 4 not moved sufficientlyso th t they make contact with the adjacent blade 20 at the other sideof the channel 33. This keeps the circuit connection established throughthe contact blades 34 and 35 independent to thereby eliminate anypossible back circuits. To facilitate the joining .Hporllland |2, the toprovide flared edges to contact makchannels 33 are machined 38 wherebyblades 23 are guided 'ing position.

for carrying the contact be provided, but consists a construction whichenables the Any suitable means preferably of contact blade carryingunits to be manufactured that the. blades 34 alike, irrespective of thefact and 35 extendin opposite directions. Furthermore, it is preferableto make such contact blade carrying units of such construction thatthere is formed at the extremity opposite the blades 34 or 35 jacks 44in which plugs may enter to make the desired electrical connections.These plugs aredesignated by 43 inFig. l4 and are soldered to theextremities of the'wires it or l4.

The construction of each blade carrying unit is best shown. in Fig. 11wherein it will be seen that it consists of parallel cylinders 4| and 42which areseparated from each other by an integral strap 43 butelectrically connected by such strap. The contact blade 34 or 35 is anintegral extension of cylinder 42. The plugs 43 are entered in the jacks44 formed at the ends of the cylinders 4| and 42 to provide the desiredplug connections. While generally only, one plug connection is usuallymade, the duplex jack construction provides for two plug connections forthe same con-l tact blade which is sometimes desirable.

In Fig. 13, it will be observed, that for each row of contact blades 34or 35 ten holes are provided to receive five of the units shown in Fig.11. In the adjacent row to'the left where the same number of holes areprovided to receive a similar number of blade carrying units such holesare staggered (see Figs. 13, 7 and 10). Now referring to Figs. 6 and '7,it will be seen that in the righthand row the units 4|, 42 of Fig..1lare mounted so that the contact blades 35, extend in one direction. Aunit 4|, 42 can be inserted in the holes until strap 43 abuts the bottomofchannel 33. By insertion of the units 4|, 42 in theholes of theadjacent row but turned oppo-' sitely, it will be seen that the blades34 .will be 7 disposed in the channels 33 but extend in an op-.

posite direction. Hence, this enables the blade carrying units of Fig.11 to be manufactured alikebut by assembling them oppositely withrespect to adjacent rows, contact blades 34 and 35 extend in oppositedirections. To securely hold contact blade carrying units 4|, 42 withinthe holes of the block 34, the jack formed extremities of.

the cylinders are cut to provide locking portions 45 which extend abovethe plane of the block 30 and which may be suitably offset or bent awayfrom the cylinders 4| and 42 as shown in Fig.10 to effectively lock withcooperation of strap 43,

the blade carrying unit in assembled position. It is, of course, obviousthat by the construction just described the jacks 44 of adjacent rowsare staggered to provide a more convenient means of fitting the plugs 40therein. This also reduces the possibility of short circuits in theevent that a non-staggered arrangement was utilized.

It is further evident that since the intermediate connector l0 providesfor five circuit 0 11-;

nection'sfor each row and therefore tenj circuit connections for tworows, the associated plug con:

a um-see for the same number of circuit connections. The

two jacks 44 for each unit 4|, 42 enable the possibility of two circuitwire connections It to one or two wire circuit connections l4, andconversely.

Whenever it is desired to readjust or change the circuit connectionsmade to either the plug connector I I or 12, it is to be noted that onemay be dissociated from the intermediate connector unit Ill and suchplug connections may be read justed with ease without, however,afifecting the plug connections made to the other plug connector or 2.The preferred form of multiple plug construction also enables a largenumber of circuit connections with a minimum of space without, however,creating the possibility of short circuits. The arrangement in Fig. 14shows the connectors l5, H and I2 associated so that when each series isplugged to maximum capacity, five circuit connections through the wires[3 may be operatively associated with five wires M for each row.However, the possibility of ten circuit connections for two rows is notthe limitation of the present device and an arrangement will be nowdescribed which will point out the extended circuit connecting capacityof the present arrangement.

The arrangement above referred to is shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14wherein reference numeral 50 represents a frame which, relative toswinging frames and 52, is stationary. The frame 55 may be mounted inthe framework of the machine, a base casting or by other means and isadapted to carry a plurality of the intermediate connectors l5 of thetype shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The frame 55 consists of an upperplate 5.3 and a lower plate 54 (Fig. 14) spaced apart by any suitablemeans, such as a sleeve 5-5 fitting over a cooperating fastening boltand nut 55. Of course, at the other end of frame 50 a similar spacingmeans is provided. Between the frame plates 53 and 54 of frame 50 thereis attached a series of the intermediate connectors Ill.

The preferred form of locking means for looking the intermediateconnectors in position consists of resilient plates 51 (Figs. 2 and 3)mounted at each end of the connector Hi by the aforementioned tubularrivet or 25. Bent out of each of the plates 51 are locking projections58 which, as shown in Fig. 3, are semi-circular in form. Each of theplates 57 is provided with a bent-over portion 59 at each end. When theconnectors ID are assembled on the frame 55 between plates 53, 54, thebent-over portions 59 fit beyond the longitudinal edges of the frameplates 53 and 54 (see Fig. 14). The semi-circular locking projections 58will, through the resiliency of the plate 51, cooperate with circularlocking holes 6|! formed in the frame plates 53 and 54 (see Fig. 12)Each plate 51 is provided with four locking projections 58 (see Fig. 3)to cooperate with a similar number of holes 55 in the cooperating frameplates 53 and 54 to prevent movement of a connector ll) in eitherdirection. By such fastening means the connectors ill are rigidly butreleasably secured to the frame 56 and may be detached therefrom bymanually pressing the portions 59 of the plates 51 away from thecooperating frame plates 53 or 54 to completely disengage the lockingprojections 58 from the holes 60. The frame 50 may receive and haveattached thereto an indefinite number of intermediate connectors lil,depending upon the circuit connecting requirements. The capacity of 6course, can be extended indefinitely, depending upon the length of theframe 55.

Associated with the frame 50 are the afore mentioned swinging frames 5|and 52 which are shown to have a movement relative to the frame 50 byvirtueof their pivotal mountings El and 62 to the frame 50 (Fig. 12).This relative displace- I ment is provided for so that in the manner ofa gate theframes 5| and 52 may be swung away from the frame 50 tofacilitate the positioning of the intermediate connectors In. Each ofthe frames 5| and 52 is, adapted to carry plug connectors ll, |2 of thetype as shown in Figs. 6-10 and as many connectors of this type areattached to the related frames as is necessary to conform to the circuitconnection requirements. In general, there is one of such plugconnectors H, |-2 in the frames 5| and 52 for cooperation with theintermediate connector I5 in the frame so, thereby providing a pluralityof multiple plug circuit connecting devices of the elementary system. ii The preferred means for attaching the'plug connectors H or IE to theframes 5| and 52 will now be described. At the end of each of theseconnectors there is secured by tubular rivets 53 attaching plates 54(see Figs. 6, 7 and 8). These are cut out to form fingers 55 and 66 andeach plate 64 has a bent-over portion 57. In positioning the plugconnector i or I? between the frame plates Ill, Ii the fingers 55 and 56enter in recesses 58 between fingers 59' (see Fig. 12'). The recesses 55and fingers 55 are formed by suitably cutting out the frame plates itand H of the movable frames 5|, 52. Each of the frame plates l5 and 'His bent as shown in Fig. 12 at l2'so that the recesses 65 and fingers 59are in the same plane as fingers 65, 65 to provide the positiveinterlocking relationship of the cooperating elements. When the plugconnectors i2 are assembled on either the frames 5| or 52, the bent-overportion 61 cooperates with the outside marginal edge 16 of the frameplates 10 or H (see Fig. 14). To firmly lock such plug connectors H,vided a channel piece 15 which passes over the marginal edge 75 of theframe plates 15 and H of frames 5|, 52 and by cooperation with thebent-over portion 67 the plug connectors I2 are locked to the frames 5|and 52 to prevent their movement when the frames 5| and 52 are closedupon the frame 55 for making the desired circuit connections through theconnectors placed in contacting relationship.

It is obvious, therefore, that when the required number of connectors ofthe two types previously described are mounted upon their respectiveframes, multiple circuit connections may be completed through suchconnectors, depending upon the requirements. The principal advantage ofthis arrangement is that the plug connections made to the plugconnectors ii carried by the frame 52 may be variously changed while theplug connections to the plug connectors, i2 carried by the frame 5| maybe unchanged and not interfered with. With the frame 52, for example,carrying several of the plug connectors H and with the plug connectionsmade thereto, it is evident that thi provides a plugboard with multiplecircuit connections made through plugs and related jacks. In the sameway the assembly of several.

plug connectors I2 on the other frame 5| will form a plugboard in whichplug connections may be made to the desired jacks. In some electricalsystems it is desirable to have one of these plugboards associated withcertain electrical elements l2 to the frames 5|, 52, there is proby'theselective plug connections." The circuit connections can be made throughthe plug connectors of the type described herein and at the otherplugboard 52 selective, plug connections are made to other elements ofthe machine in which it is desirable to change at will the last nameddescribed plug connections- One requirement in which the presentarrangement will find particular use is in tabulating machines wherein anumber of plugboards are provided, each having plug connections,dependent upon-the specific form of tabulating card controlling themachine. In the present arrangement such plug connections may be madeon'the plugboard of frame 52 and used to control the machine. When therequirement changes this plugboard may be detached from the machine andanother one substituted. In such change it is, of course, obvious.that-the other plugboard remains in permanent electrical connection withthe intermediate connectors I carried by the stationary frame 50,although, of course, plug connections thereon may be independentlychanged. The arrangement just described is so flexible in its use thatit is evident that it may be utilized in different ways,,depending uponthe selective circuit requirements of the electrical system.

' While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a singleembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the artWithout departing from the spirit of the in- 1 vention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A selective circuit connector for multiple circuits comprising anintermediate frame carrying a plurality of intermediate connector units,each comprising a body portion carrying contact members extendingoppositely for circuit connections at each side of said body, individualmeans carried by each of said connector units to lock the latter atdesired positions of said frame, a plurality of frames mounted atopposite sides of the intermediate frame and each carrying a pluralityof plug connector units carrying contact members cooperating with therelated contact members of the intermediate connectors when said framesare releasably joined together, and said plug connector units carryingjacks integral with the related contact members for receiving plugsvariously positioned in said jacks, the releasable interconnection ofsaid frames enabling one of said frames to be dissociated from theintermediate frame to enable plug connections on the plug connectorscarried thereby to be changed, While the plug connectors on the otherframe remain associated with the intermediate connector units of theintermediate frame and its plug connections remain unchanged, and meansfor collectively locking one or more plug connectors to the relatedframe at desired positions for co: operation with the intermediateconnector units locked at corresponding positions.

2. A circuit connector for multiple circuits comprising a contactsupport member carrying a single series of spaced contact plates,portions of which project from the plane of said support to provide aseries of contact making blades, a 00- operating contact membercomprising a body, a plurality of teeth extending from one side of 8said body,'each' of which bears against adjacent contact blades andretains them separatedwhen said members are joined, said teeth providingintervening recesses for internally receiving a pair of contact bladeswhen said members are joined, Q

contact fingers carried by said body and shaped and arranged in suchmanner that a pair fitting within the related recess clear eachotherras-they araboth' inwardly moved by contact with-the associatedpair of contact blades inserted in the recess when said members arejoined, and plug receiving jacks integral with said contact fingers anddisposed at the outsideoi' said body. i 7

3. A circuit connector for multiple circuits comprising an intermediateconnector unit having a contact support body carrying a single series ofspaced contact plates, portions of which project from each side of saidbody to provide twoseries of oppositely extending contact making blades,

a pair of cooperating connector units disposed at each side of theintermediate connector unit and each comprising a support member havingin-' tegral blade separating teeth, each of the re-' cesses separatingadjacent teeth receiving a pair of adjacent contact blades, contactfingers car- 7 ried by said support member and shaped and arranged insuch manner that a pair of contact fingers within the related recessclear each other as they are both moved inwardly by contact with a pairof blades'inserted in the recess when a cooperating connector unit isjoined to said intermediate connector unit, and jacks integral with saidcontact fingers and arranged on the other side of said support memberfor receiving variously disposed plug connections.

4. A circuit connector for multiple circuits comprising a contactsupport member carrying a single series of spaced contact plates,portions of which project from the plane of said support to provide aseries of contact making blades,,

a cooperating contact member comprising a body, a plurality of teethextending from one side of the body, each of which bears againstadjacent contact blades and retains them separated when said members arejoined, said teethproviding intervening recesses for internallyreceiving a pair of contact blades when said members are joined, aseries of contact fingers extending in said re cesses and correspondingin number to the num ber of contact plates and carried by said body intwo spaced and staggered series, one series bent in one direction tomake contact with the blades at one side of the recesses and the otherseries bent in the other direction to make con-. tact with the blades atthe other side of said recesses.

5. A circuit connector for multiple circuits comprising a contactsupport member carrying a' tact plates and carried by said body in twospaced and staggered series,.one series bent in one direc-v tion to makecontact with the blades at one side of the recesses and the otherseriesbent in the other direction to make contact with the UNITED STATESPATENTS blades at the other side of said recesses, and

jacks integral with said fingers and arranged on Number ame Date oneface of said body in two spaced and staggered 445,751 Hoflman Feb. 3,1891 series. 5 12,17 44 Davison Oct. 3, 1939 HANS LUHN 2,124,207 NeesenJuly 19, 1938 2,006,436 Bowers July 2, 1935 REFERENCES CITED 2,111,118Lake Mar. 15, 1938 2,283,040 Brinkmann et a1. May 12, 1942 g g ggg ggggf of in the 10 2,265,341 Borchert ec. 1, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 114,796 Austrian Oct. 2'5, 1929

